Do you get health insurance on unemployment with NYS Department of Labor benefits?

NYS Department of Labor unemployment benefits don't include health insurance, but you have several options. You can apply for Essential Plan or Medicaid through NY State of Health marketplace if your income qualifies. Since unemployment income counts toward eligibility, you might qualify for low-cost or free coverage. You can also look into COBRA continuation from your previous employer, though that's usually expensive. The Essential Plan is often the best option for people on unemployment.

been there! when i was on unemployment i qualified for medicaid because the weekly benefit amount was low enough. you apply through the same ny state of health website. took about 2 weeks to get approved and it covered everything i needed

You need to apply for health coverage within 60 days of losing your job-based insurance to avoid penalties. NY State of Health marketplace at nystateofhealth.ny.gov is your best bet. With unemployment benefits, you'll likely qualify for either Essential Plan (if you're between 138-200% of federal poverty level) or Medicaid (if you're under 138%). Don't wait too long to apply - coverage can start as early as the first of the next month if you apply by the 15th.

I had such a hard time getting through to anyone at NY State of Health when I needed help with my application. The phone lines were always busy and the website kept timing out. Finally used Claimyr.com to get connected to someone who could actually help me navigate the system. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/qyftW-mnTNI that shows how it works. Made the whole process so much easier than trying to call repeatedly.

just want to add that if you had a health savings account (HSA) from your old job you can still use that money for medical expenses while you're between insurance plans. helped me cover some costs while waiting for my new coverage to kick in

Check if your county has any additional health programs too! Some counties in NY have their own health insurance assistance programs that can supplement state options. Also, if you have any ongoing prescriptions, ask your doctor about manufacturer discount programs or look into GoodRx while you're getting your insurance sorted out. The gap between losing employer coverage and getting new coverage approved can be stressful, but there are definitely options to help bridge that time.

Just went through this same situation a few months ago! One thing that really helped me was setting up an account on nystateofhealth.ny.gov before I even lost my job - that way when my employer coverage ended, I could immediately start the application process. The income verification was pretty straightforward - they just needed my unemployment benefit letter from NYSDOL. I ended up qualifying for Essential Plan with a $20/month premium, which was way better than the $600+ COBRA would have cost me. Also, don't forget that dental and vision are separate - Essential Plan includes some dental but you might want to look into additional coverage if you have ongoing dental needs. The whole process took about 3 weeks from application to getting my insurance cards.

Also want to mention that if you're having trouble affording any copays or deductibles while on unemployment, many hospitals and clinics in NY have financial assistance programs. Most are required to offer charity care or payment plans based on your income level. I had to go to the ER while I was between jobs and qualified for a 90% discount on the bill just by showing my unemployment documentation. Don't avoid getting medical care if you need it - there are usually options to help with costs even if you're uninsured for a short period.